Apologetics

You or people you know have likely had tough questions about the Bible at some point or another. Maybe you’ve even heard things like, “The Bible is racist.” Or, “The Bible has too many errors and edits.” Or, “The Bible is merely a mythological story like Homer’s Odyssey.”

Author Trevor Sutton’s newest book Why Should I Trust the Bible? tackles head-on such accusations that question the authority of the Bible. Sutton compares the Bible to writings that have been deemed more credible than the Bible, like the Book of Mormon, encyclopedias, and even Shakespeare’s works. He tests the Bible using the same rigorous standards that have been used to test such other writings. He examines historical evidence, witness accounts, and translation concerns, answering many tough questions and showing that when all other texts fall, the Bible still stands—as completely, undeniably trustworthy.

The following excerpt from chapter 4, “Disputes and Disagreements,” confronts and debunks the claim that the Gospels disagree on even the most basic events in the life of Jesus.

Refuting the Supposed Inaccuracies

Skeptics have pored over the Gospels and attempted to find as many disagreements and discrepancies as possible. All they have really found, however, are situations in which different authors have arranged material in ways that are appropriate for their different audiences and purposes. Here are some responses to commonly cited “disagreements” in the Gospels:

Temptation of Jesus: A careful reading of how Matthew (4:1–11) and Luke (4:1–13) depict the temptation of Jesus will reveal a difference in the ordering of events. In Matthew, Satan tempts Jesus to turn stones into bread, then invites Him to leap from a high place, and lastly he offers Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. Luke orders the temptations differently: first Satan asks Jesus to turn stones into bread, then he encourages Jesus to claim the kingdoms of the world, and lastly there is the invitation to leap from the pinnacle of the temple in Jerusalem. This difference in the ordering of the last two temptations is often cited as proof that the Gospels do not accurately capture what happened in the life and ministry of Jesus. [Read more…] about Why Should I Trust the Bible?

CPH recently released the second edition of Craig Parton’s The Defense Never Rests, a powerful critique of American Christianity that provides a defense of the pure Gospel. The new edition features sections dealing with the challenges of New Atheism, Bart Ehrman, and the new wave of biblical criticism. The following excerpt is from the book’s introduction. [Read more…] about Whatever Happened to the Gospel?

He is risen! In celebration of this joyous occasion, we’re posting an excerpt from Craig Parton’s chapter in Making the Case for Christianity in which he investigates the facts and evidence surrounding the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Following 1 Peter 3:15: “Always [be] prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you,” the book was written to prepare Christians to defend their faith. Topics covered include the existence of God, the Gospels as reliable history, Islam, the resurrection of Christ, the doctrine of salvation, good vs. evil, and atheism.

But What Does the Resurrection Mean?

Critics such as [Dan] Barker still respond, isn’t the resurrection just another miracle (like the “healings” performed by the surgically-enhanced and well-coifed Mr. and Mrs. Televangelist) that can be easily explained in naturalistic terms? Hardly. As the existentialist philosophers and analytical psychologists have been quick to point out, death is the ultimate leveler of us all. We all fear death in some sense, and so the funeral, for instance, becomes an ancient effort to help the surviving community come to grips with the devastation and seeming irrationality of death. In light of such realizations, Carl Gustav Jung and Mircea Eliade, for example, convincingly argue that images associated with death are cross-cultural and indeed are “archetypes” of the collective human unconsciousness.

Christians are being called to defend their faith as never before—whether in the political sphere, in the work environment, and especially in personal discussions. Are you prepared “to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15)?

Making the Case for Christianity: Responding to Modern Objections, edited by Korey D. Maas and Adam S. Francisco and available now, introduces specific intellectual objections to the Christian faith and then demonstrates how these objections might rationally be answered. Topics covered include the existence of God, the Gospels as reliable history, Islam, the resurrection of Christ, the doctrine of salvation, good vs. evil, and atheism. Contributors include Dr. John Bombaro, Dr. Angus Menuge, Dr. Joshua Pagán, Craig A. Parton, and Rev. Mark A. Pierson.